Best is relative. For the simplest/easiest (and likely cheapest) method to accomplish this, you should probably look at something like the WDTV Live or similar.

If you want flexibility, wide format support and a nice interface, then an HTPC is your best bet. I know people who use the Acer Aspire Revo R1600 ($200) for their HTPC and it seems to work quite well even for HD. Myself, I'd opt for the dual-core Revo R3610 model ($329), at least. The built-in Windows Media Center in Windows Vista/7 works well enough, particularly when paired with MyMovies or Media Browser.

I'd like to see this tested with plug-ins such as Media Browser and MyMovies. Right now, I use a 5400RPM 2.5" laptop drive for my HTPC (really, really small case) and initial loading of posters and backdrops take quite a while. That's considering I have a somewhat smallish library as I'm still in the process of ripping my discs.

Not anymore. The latest Flash 10.1 beta fixed that. Still, if I had a do-over, I'd go with the Dell Zino HD instead of my current ION-based DIY HTPC.

Not the 9400M (at least, not that I know of), but ASUS has the UL80VT which has the NVIDIA 210m and HP has the dm3t which you could upgrade to an NVIDIA G105M, both of which should be better than the 9400M

Not the 9400M (at least, not that I know of), but ASUS has the UL80VT which has the NVIDIA 210m and HP has the dm3t which you could upgrade to an NVIDIA G105M, both of which should be better than the 9400M

"it still feels like Intel's pushing software programmers to cater to underwhelming hardware rather than innovating its chips to work faster and more efficiently."

Umm, yeah... You are aware that Intel still manufactures higher profit margin Core 2, Core i7 and recently released Core i5 chips, right? Seriously, the Atom isn't the only processor in existence. If you want something faster then get a better processor. There are scores of choices from both Intel and AMD. Intel's not likely to release faster, low-cost Atom chips until they've increased performance on their low to mid-range line-up. Wouldn't want the Atom to cannibalize the sales now, would they?

All things considered, the Atom gives very good performance considering the low power consumption. Intel is also partly to thank for driving the prices of Mini-ITX systems lower. Just think, over a year or so ago, the best choice was a VIA C3 and you even paid quite a bit of premium for it.

It saves space. Not worth the price tag, though - at least for me it's not.

Scratch that. I browsed through the gallery and noticed what you were referring to. If Ceton releases an external version that connects via ethernet, we might. That, of course, depends on how the CableCARD activation works, if it's tied down to one computer, etc.

PCI-E means PCI Express. Same as used by graphics cards, but the Ceton looks like it's single lane only. I doubt you can just share it easily ala-HDHomeRun since there's DRM involved. So far, it's only been mentioned to work with media center extenders.

We don't even know if you can share encrypted recordings with other computers in your home network.

Certain OEMs license the Advanced Entertainment Pack (AEP) for Windows, which enables support for more than 4 tuners. The Ceton 6-tuner PC card is a solution for those OEMs and systems.

For the DIY market, the 4-tuner version should be available at retail.